MIAMI (September 18, 2018) – One year after Hurricane Irma made landfall in the Florida Keys and carved a path of destruction through South Florida, the American Red Cross is still helping people affected by the powerful storm, the strongest to make landfall in the U.S. since 2005.
Through the extraordinary support of the American public, the Red Cross raised $97 million, including the value of critical donated goods and services, to help Hurricane Irma survivors. As of September 6, 2018, the Red Cross had already programmed approximately $60.4 million, or 62 percent, on emergency relief and recovery efforts for people affected by Hurricane Irma. The remaining funds will be used to help with unmet needs for individuals and families impacted by Hurricane Irma, as well as to expand longer-term community-based recovery services in the affected areas. And, 91 cents of every dollar received for Hurricane Irma will be spent on our services to people affected by Hurricane Irma.
“The Red Cross continues to provide vital services and financial assistance to our communities in South Florida that were the most affected by Hurricane Irma,” said Joanne Nowlin, Regional CEO of the South Florida Region. “It is because of the generosity of each donor that we can focus on recovery efforts long after a disaster. Together with community organizations with whom we have longstanding partnerships, we can continue to provide hope and help.”
Full details are available in the Red Cross’ Hurricane Irma One-Year Update. View personal stories of how the Red Cross helped people after this devastating storm in this video.
EMERGENCY RELIEF
More than 7,000 American Red Cross disaster workers from across the U.S. – over 90 percent volunteers – answered the call to help impacted residents in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Florida and states across the Southeast. During the emergency response, the Red Cross:
RECOVERY EFFORTS ONGOING
One year after Hurricane Irma’s devastating impact, the Red Cross continues working with government and non-profit partners, community and faith-based organizations, and Long-Term Recovery Committees to support recovery for affected residents.
In Florida, donated dollars are being used to provide financial assistance for households that need extra help and grants to partners with specialized expertise to support community-based recovery services.
We have reached out to thousands of households whose primary homes suffered major damage or were destroyed. As of September 6, 2018, the Red Cross had already approved $2,000 each to more than 3,000 households, and we continue to work with more residents every day. This assistance is helping individuals and families pay for temporary housing, make essential repairs to flood-damaged homes, replace lost appliances and furniture and much more.
Learn more at redcross.org/irma.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/southflorida or visit us on Twitter at @SFLRedCross.
# # #